Apparatus for stacking and transporting objects



G. H. HARREP 2,424,093

July 15, 1947.

APPARATUS FOR STACKING AND TRANSPORTING OBJECTS Filed Feb. ll, 1944 l0 Sheets-Sheet l Jly l5, 1947. `G. H. HARRED 2,424,093

APPARATUS FOR STACKING ANDTRANSPORTING AOBJECTS 'Filed Feb. 11, y1944 I 1o sheets-sheet 2 July 15, 1947. G. H. HARRED 2,424,093

` APPARATUS FOR STACKING AND TRANSPORTING OBJECTS Filed Feb. ll, 1944 l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 July l5, 1947 G. H.`HARRE;D 2,424,093

APPARATUS*FOR STACKINGV'AND TRASPORTING OBJECTS Filed Feb. 1if v1944 1o sheets-sheet 4 3J "zwp w:

July l15, 1947# G. H. HARRED v 2,424,093

APPARATUS FOR STACKING AND TRANSPORT'ING OBJECTS FledvFeb. ll) 1944 10 SheetS-SheetfS yJuly 1,5, 1947. G. H. HARRl-:D 2,424,093

APPARATUS FOR STACKING AND TRANSPORTING OBJECTS Filed Feb. 11, 1944 1o sheds-sheet e July 15, 1947. G, H HARRED' 2,424,093

APPARATUS FOR STACKING AND TRANSPORTING OBJECTS Filed Feb. l1, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 July l5, 1947. G. HJHARRED- APPARTUS -FOR STACKING/ AND TRANSPORTING OBJECTS 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 11,. .1944

{qemw jig-* July l5, 1947.

G.- H. HARRED APPARATUS FOR STACKING AND TRANSPORTING OBJECTS .Filed Feb. 1l, 1944 l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 twg 17,917. y man@ Ju1y15,194.7. v @.HqHARREp' v 2,424,093

APPARATUS FOR STACKING AND`TRNSPORTING OBJECTS Filed-Feb. 1l, A194A 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 Patented July 15, 194'? APPARATUS FOR STACKING AND TRANSPORTING OBJECTS George H. Harred, East Greenwich, R. I., assigner to Boston Wire Stitcher Company, Portland, Maine, a corporation of Maine Application February 11, 1944, Serial No. 522,012

8 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for transferring various objects from a machine to another location and particularly to an apparatus for counting sheets, carton-blanks or the like as they are delivered from a processing machine and transporting them in measured quantities to a desired location.

One object of the invention is to providean apparatus of the type indicated adapted to receive carton-blanks or similar sheet-like articles as they are discharged from a processing mament arranged above the belts and adapted to receive the blanks as they are discharged from the processing machine, means for retaining the blanks in stacked relationship in the compartment, means for countingthe blanks as they are stacked in the compartment, and means operative after a predetermined number of blanks have been stacked in the compartment for releasing the retaining means and opening the compartment to permit the stack of blanks to descend upon the belts to be transported thereby to another location.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated in which the stack-retaining means is returned promptly to operative position to retain the rst carton-blank of a succeeding series or group delivered to the apparatus so that the operation of the processing machine need not be retarded or arrested between groups of the blanks and maximum eiciency and production of the machine can be maintained, f Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thel type indicated having a simple blank-counting mechanism which is electrically operated and controlled by means actuated by each blank being delivered to the compartment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated in which the counting of the carton-blanks is controlled by means actuated by the rearward or trailing edge of each blank to insure that the last blank of. each predetermined number of units will be positively stacked in the compartment before the stack is released to move with the conveyorbelts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated having means for maintaining the blanks in alined stacked relationship during the formation of the stack in 2 the compartment and its movement with the conveyor-belts.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specication which describes a preferred form of construction of the apparatus and a modied form of controlling unit therefor,

by Way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a sheetprocessing machine showing the improved unitcounting, stacking and delivery apparatus as applied to use therewith;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the combined sheet-counting, stacking and delivering apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of the same;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus showing the sheet-alining means as operative to aline the sheets of a stack or group during the initial movement of the latter from the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a plan view oi the stack-supporting means showing the parts thereof in position to restrain the stack from movement with the continuously moving conveyor-belts;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 3 showing the means for actuating the stack-retaining means;

Fig. 7 is a further enlarged side view of the means for latching the stack-retaining lingers in operative position;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 showing the latching means as unlocked to release the Stackretaining fingers to permit the completed stack of sheets to be transported by the conveyor-belts;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the stack-supporting rests showing them in position to support a stack of sheets or carton-blanks;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 illustrating the stack-supporting rests as rocked downwardly to lower the stack of sheets onto the conveyorbelts to adapt it to be transported thereby;

Fig, 11 is a side elevational view of the control unit which is operative by the passage of a sheet or carton-blank into the apparatus to control the actuation of the sheet-counting device, and showing the relationship of the parts of the controller before and after a carton-blank passes thereacross;

Fig. 12 is a similar view of the control unit showing the relationship of the parts during the passage of a carton-blank thereacross;

Fig. 13 is a plan View of the control unitv with the parts thereof in the same relationship as shown in Fig. 1 1;

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view on line l-M of Fig. 3 showing the longitudinallyextending guide-plates for alining the lateral edges of the carton-blanks as they are received in the apparatus and indicating in dash-lines the manner of adjusting the guide-plates laterally to accommodate blanks of various widths Fig. 15 is a front elevational view of the counting device showing the relationship of its parts during the .passage of a sheet or carton-blank into the apparatus;

Fig. 16 is a side elevationa1 view of the same;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing the relationship of the parts of the counting device at the instant when the rearward or trailing edge of the last carton-blank of a series or group passes across the control unit to complete the stack;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary front view of the counting device showing the relationship of the ratchet-disk, switch-actuator and the switch after the last blank has been received in the apparatus to complete a stack of blanks and as the stack commences its movement from the apparatus;

Fig. 19 is an electrical-circuit diagram indicating the relationship of the various switches and electromagnets prior to and following the passage of a sheet or carton-blank into the apparatus;

Fig. 20 is a similar diagram indicating the relationship of the switches and electromagnets immediately following the delivery of the last carton-blank from the processing machine into the conveyor and showing the circuit for controlling the actuation of the stack-releasing means as closed;

Fig. 21 is a side elevational View of one end of the combined sheet-counting, stacking and transferring apparatus showing a modied form of control device embodying a light-sensitive or photo-electric unit which is operative upon passage of a sheet or carton-blank intothe apparatus to control the actuation of the sheetcounting device; and

Fig. 22 is a sider elevational view of a portion of the apparatus showing further modications in the control unit and other details. y

In the manufacture of various sheet-like articles it is a common practice to deliver processed articles from the cutting, printing, labeling, taping, stitching or other processing machine and to manually group the articles in a stack. The articles in the stack are handled, counted and tied together manually in bundles suitable for shipping. The number of sheets contained in each stack or bundle is dependent upon the size and type of the processed articles and the purpose for which they are to be used. For eX- ample, cartons are usually manufactured in plants embodying machines for carrying out the various steps of cutting the sheet material to the required size, slitting and scoring the blanks to form the panels and flaps of the cartons, stitching or taping the iiaps together and finally counting the completed carton-blanks and tying them together in groups or bundles of predetermined number. These bundles of carton-blanks then may be shipped to plants engaged in the manufacture or processing of Various articles to be packed and shipped in the cartons or containers.

The present invention is concerned particularly with means for receiving processed sheet-like articles as they are delivered from any usual processing machine, counting and arranging the articles in groups or stacks of predetermined number and transporting the stacks to a location where the articles may be further processed or tied in bundles for shipping. More specically, the present improved apparatus comprises a series of continuously moving conveyor-belts, means for receiving and stacking the sheet-like articles above the conveyor-belts, means for counting the individual sheets as they are delivered by the processing machine and stacked above the belts, and means operative after a predetermined number of sheets have been stacked to release the completed stack and cause it to be transported by the belts to a location where the sheets may be further processed or tied in bundles.

Eample of processing macht-'nc Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the present improved apparatus, designated generally by the reference character 2, is herein shown as applied to use with a carton-stitching or stapling machine M and adapted to receive the stitched cartonblanks as the latter are delivered from the machine. It is to be understood, however, that the wire-stitching machine M is herein shown merely as an example and that the present apparatus may be employed for counting and stacking various objects or articles as the latter are delivered from a cutting, printing, taping or other processing unit. After the articles have been counted and arranged in groups or stacks of predetermined number the stacks are transported or conveyed from the apparatus 2 and may be deposited on a table 3 in position to be tied to form bundles suitable for shipping or handling for other purposes.

The wire-stitching machine M, herein shown by way of example, may be of the type disclosed in my prio-r application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 468,646, led December ll, 1942. Since the sheet-processing machine is herein shown merely to disclose means for delivering sheet-like articles to the conveyor 2, its construction and method of operation will be described only briefly as relating to the operation of the conveyor. Suffice it to state that the wirestitching machine M comprises a pair of rolls 5 and 5 for intermittently feeding carton-blanks laterally across a table 'E to stitching mechanism in a head t. The wire-stitching mechanism contained within the head 9 is adapted to apply wire staples to the carton-blanks at spaced intervals therealong with the feed-rolls 5 and advancing the blanks between stitches. After a predetermined number of staples have been applied to stitch together the flaps of a cartonblank, the rolls 5 and 6 are rotated at high speed to eject the stitched blank from the machine. As the blank is delivered from the stitching machine M it rides across a roller iii rotatably sup ported from the frame of the machine. As eX- plained in the patent application referred to above, the carton-blanks B-may be stacked in a pile on a platform it of an elevator le with hydraulic means, indicated at IG, provided for automatically raising the platform to maintain the topmost blank at a level to be conveniently grasped by the operator. To facilitate the manual withdrawal of a blank B from the supply stack, a sheet-displacing mechanism, such as shown generally at Il and described in the above-named application, may be employed for displacing or jogging the topmost sheet or blank laterally to adapt it to be conveniently grasped by the operator who may then fold the blank and insert it between the feed-rolls 5 and to initiate the wire-stitching operation.

It is a common practice when stitching cartonblanks to cause the blanks to be deposited on the floor or upon a truck where they build up to form a pile or stack. The blanks are counted and arranged manually in groups or stacks of predetermined number which are tied to form bundles. The stitched carton-blanks usually are piled more or less haphazardly which results in an uneven stack so it is not only diicult to count the units but it happens often that the pile topples over to further complicate the bundling operation. To avoid the diiiiculties above explained the present invention provides an improved apparatus for receiving and stacking the blanks as they are delivered from the processing machine, counting the blanks as they are stacked and transporting the completed stacks to another location. where they may be bundled.

General organisation of the apparatus As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the apparatus 2 comprises a rectangular framework i3 in tie form of a table supported by four legs or corner posts 2S, preferably constructed from channel irons. The legs 25 at opposite sides of the frame are joined by longitudinally-extending braces or struts 2l and 22. The legs 23 at the forward end of the frame are connected by a bar is and a pair of angle-iron braces 2t and 2in?. rhe legs at the opposite end of the irai/ne i3 may be joined by angle-iron braces 25, 2i and 23. Casters 29 may be mounted at the lower ends of the legs 2% to adapt the apparatus 2 to be moved into position adjacent the particular machine with which it is to be used. At the opposite ends of the frame i8 the struts 22 extend beyond the legs 2B to provide overhanging brackets for supporting bearings 3i in which the ends of transverse shafts 32 and 33 are journaled, see Fig. 2. Pinned or otherwise secured to the shafts 32 and 33 are relatively wide pulleys or wheels 35 and 36 respectively, see Fig. 2. Passing around the pulleys 35 and 36 are a plurality of belts s? which serve as the means for conveying the stacks of carton-blanks from the apparatus in the manner explained hereinafter. rThe belts 3l' also pass around idler pulleys S3 and 4S rotatably mounted at the opposite ends or pivoted arms 4i, see Fig. 3. The arms di are pivoted on a rod it extending across the framework i8 and are provided with projections 43 engageable by setscrews d on the frame. By adjusting the setscrews ltd the arms 4l may be rocked to cause the pulleys 3Q and 423 to tighten or slacken the conveyor-belts 3i as required. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a sprocket dt fast on the end of the shaft 3S is driven from a smaller sprocket d1 on a countcrshaft 48 by means of a chain 49. The countershaft i8 is journaled in bearings 5l mounted on a shelf cr ledge 52 supported from the legs 2% and carries a relatively large pulley 53 which is driven from a smaller pulley 54 fast on the shaft of an electric motor 55 by means of a belt i. The motor 55 is mounted on a shelf or bracket 56 at the rearward end of the framework i8 and through the connections last described it drives the Pulleys 3S for continuously traveling the conveyor-belts 3l.

Fastened to the top of the angle-irons or crossstruts 24 and 2 of the framework i8 are longitudinally-extending supporting strips S, see Figs. 2 and 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the strips 58 underlie the upper portion of each conveyor-belt 31 to prevent the belts 3l from sagging and to take the weight of the stacks or groups of carton-blanks as the latter are moved by the belts.

Stack-'retaining means and operating mechanism therefor After the carton-blanks B are stitched or otherwise processed they are ejected from the machine M and deposited ina compartment C where they are held elevated slightly above the conveyorbelts 37 by means of a rest or block 6U at one end supported on the cross-strut 24, see Figs. 3 and 4, and also a pair of pivoted stack-supporting fingers or rests I5 to be later described in detail. The compartment C is bounded at its rearward end by upstanding rockable lingers or stops 8l), to be later described, and at the front by angularly-shaped fingers 64. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 14, the fingers B4 have horizontal portions or feet 65 provided with elongated slots 66 through which a screw 6l is adapted to be inserted in any one of a series of threaded holes 68 in the cross-strut 25 of the frame i8. Through this provision the iingers 645 may be adjusted both laterally and longitudinally of the conveyor-belts to accommodate carton-blanks of various sizes. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the upper end of each T nger d4 slopes forwardly and upwardly toward the machine M to provide inclined ramps for guiding the carton-blanks B into the compartment C. The lateral Walls of the compartment C are constituted by a pair of vertical plates 13 extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of the conveyor-apparatus 2. The side plates l@ may be constructed from plywood or suitable wallboard to render them light in weight and reinforced by longitudinal angle-irons 'H which project beyond their rearward ends as shown in Fig, 3. Secured to the angle-irons H are laterally-projecting arms 'l2 which carry depending pins 13, see Fig. 14. As shown in this latter View, the lower ends of the pins 73 are tapered to adapt them to be received in holes l5 drilled through thevhorizontal flanges of the cross-struts 25 and 28, it being noted that the struts project beyond the sides of the apparatus for this purpose. By adjusting the side plates it laterally toward or away from each other the width of the compartment C may be varied to adapt carton-blanks B of diiferent widths to be received therein. After the side plates I0 have been adjusted laterally their tapered pins 13 are entered into the appropriate holes 'l5 to maintain them in upright position as shown in Fig. 14. In certain positions of adjustment the side plates lil will be arranged between the conveyorbelts 3l with their lower edges resting upon the cross-struts 25 and 23. When the plates are adjusted in alinement with the conveyor-belts 37, their lower edges will rest upon the upper ends of plates 'H and T3, shown in Fig. 3, which are attached to the forward and rearward ends of the framework I8, see dash-lines in Fig. 14. The lower edges of the side plates 10 thus will be spaced slightly above the conveyor-belts 37 to prevent their Contact therewith. It will be noted from the above description that the size of the compartment C may be adjusted to accommodate carton-blanks B of dierent lengths and widths.

The 'stop-fingers 8U, previously mentioned as constituting the rearward wall of the compartment C, are carried by a rock-shaft $2 extending transversely across the frame of the apparatus. The ngers 8% are in the form of round rods with their lower threaded ends adapted to be screwed into any of a series of threaded holes 83, see Fig, 5, in the rock-shaft 82. The fingers 86 act as abutments for engaging the edge of each enanos?,4

carton-blank as it is projected into the compartment C. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the ends of the rock-shaft 82 are journaled in bearing plates 85 mounted for longitudinal adjustment on guide-plates 8S fastened to the longitudinal braces or struts 22, the lateral flanges of the angle-iron struts being cut away as shown at 81 for this purpose. The rock-shaft 82 projects through elongated horizontal slots or openings 88 in the guide-plates 86 and square bosses 89 on the bearing plates 85, see Fig. 5,` also project into the slots to prevent tilting of the bearing plates while adapting them to be adjusted longitudinally therealong for the purpose of adjusting the length of the compartment C. A spring 90 coiled around one end of the rock-shaft 82 has one end engaging in a hole in one of the bearing plates 85 and its opposite end held by a collar 9| fast on the shaft, thus tending to rock the latter in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, and maintain the stop-lingers 8l) in upright position. An arm d2 fast on the rock-shaft 82 carries a laterallyprojecting pin 93 adapted to engage the upper edge of the guide-plate 86 to limit the rocking movement of the shaft 82 in this direction. The arm 92 takes the axial thrust of the shaft 82 in one direction while the thrust in the opposite direction is resisted by a collar 94 fast on the opposite end of the shaft, see Fig. 5.

An inclined arm 95, see Figs. 7 and 8, is secured to the rock-shaft 82 at a point substantially mid way of its ends with a detent-iinger S3 projecting upwardly from the hub of the arm. The detentnger 95 cooperates with a shoulder li of a latching element lllll, see Figs. 7 and 8, rockably mounted on a hollow shaft |32 extending between the bearing plates B5 on the frame i8 in parallel relation to the rock-shaft 82, see also Fig. 5. This engagement between the detent-nger 83 and the latching element |638 normally restrains the rock-shaft from rocking movement in coimterclockwise direction. Extending through the hollow shaft |02 is a rod it, see Fig. 5, hav ing a handwheel |84 fastened thereto at one end. This end of the rod |33 passes through a hole in one bearing plate 85 while its opposite end is threaded to adapt it to be screwed into a threaded hole in the opposite bearing plate to clamp both bearing plates against the sides of the guidem plates 83. `Collars |85 on the rod |33 interposed between the ends of the hollow shaft |52 and the guide-plates 86 provide frictional resistance to the turning of the shaft. By turning the handwheel lofi to unscrew the rod |83 the bearing plates 83 may b-e freed to permit their adjustment longitudinally of the guide-plates 83. To prevent canting of the shafts 82 and l and maintain them in position at right-angles to the sides of the frame i8 a pair of levers lll is provided. As shown in Fig, 3, the levers it? are mounted in spaced relationship on a lower shaft 88 pivotally mounted in brackets l 65 at the bottom o-f the frame I8 and extending transversely thereof. The upper ends of the levers |87 are forked for engaging the rock-shaft 82 as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 and may be rigidly connected together by means of a tie-rod l lll.

The latching element lll() is adapted to be rocked in clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 7 and 8, to engage its shoulder with 'the end of the detent-nger 8S by means of a spring H3 having one end connected to a lateral projection on the latch and its opposite end anchored to a pin ll'l on a bracket ll5. Rocking movement o-f the latching element |80 in this direction is limited by the engagement of a set-screw llll on the element with the shaft 82 as shown in Fig. 7. rihe bracket IIE, previously referred to, is pro-- vided with openings for receiving the shafts 82 and |32 to adapt it to be mounted thereon and is formed with depending legs lll at its opposite ends. A rod H8 is slidably mounted in bearings in the legs lll of the bracket ll'5 and carries a horizontal bar 52%. As shown in Fig. 7, the bar Still has a laterally-offset depending portion |2l bored to receive the rod ll and split at one side with a screw |22 for clamping it to the rod. The bar |28 is provided with a shoulder |23 at one end. When the rod lig is slid from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that illustrated in Fig. 8 the shoulder |23 on the bar |25) will engage the lower end of the depending portion ld of the latching element ll to rock the latter in counterclockwise direction and release the detentfinger 93.. Continued sliding movement of the rod l i8 toward the right, as viewed in. Fig. 7, will cause the end of the bar |28 to engage against the inclined arm to rock the latter and rock-shaft 52 in counterclockwise direction, see Fig. 8, whereby to rock the stop-fingers 83 to a position below the level of the conveyor-belts 3l to open the end of the compartment C as shown in Fig. 4 and release the stack S of cartoinblanks B to permit them to be transported by the belts.

The means for sliding the rod l I8' consists in a lever |2t` secured fast to a shaft |2'l which' is rockably mounted in bearings at the bottom of the frame |53. The rod l I8 has a bifurcated member 28 pivotally connected to the upper end of the lever |26 by a pin passing through a slot therein. The shaft |27 is adapted to be rocked in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, by means of a cam |38 carried by a shaft |3| journaled in bearings in a standard |32, see Fig. 6. As shown in this latter view, the standard |32 may be supported by a plate |33 extending across the frame I3 with its ends secured to th'e longitudinal struts 2|. The cam-shaft |3l is adapted for rotation through a clutch, indicated generally at |35 in Fig. 6, one member of the clutch being driven continuously from the conveyor-pulley shaft 33 by means of a chain |36 passing around sprockets |37 and |38 on the clutch-element and shaft, respectively, see also Fig. 3. A clutch-actuating pin |40 slidable in a bore in the standard |32 is operated from a pivoted bell-crank lever lill, see Fig. 6. The bell-crank lever lill is arranged to be rocked by means of a link |43 connected between one end of the lever and the armature of an electromagnet |52. Wh'en the electromagnet M2 is energized the bell-crank lever lill is rocked to withdraw the pin |40 to cause the driven clutch-element to be rotated from the driving element. In this manner the cam-shaft l3l and cam |39 are rotated during prescribed intervals. The energization of the electromagnet |42 is of short duration so that the pin |48 will be engaged with the driven clutch-element to arrest the rotation of the shaft |3l after the latter has been turned through one complete revolution. A slideplate |45 has an elongated opening through which the cam-shaft l3| extends and carries a follower-roller |45 engageable with the periphery of the cam |38, see Figs. 4 and 6. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the end of the slide-plate |45 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a lever E48 fast on the rock-shaft |21. A spring |139 connected between the lever m8 and the frame I8 maintains the roller llll in engagement with the cam |30. When the cam |30 is rotated from the position illustrated in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4 the lever |40, shaft |21 and lever |25 will be rocked in clockwise direction to slide the bar |20 toward the right whereby to unlatch the ngers 80 for the purpose before explained. The electromagnet |42 is connected in circuit with a switch 2|3, see Fig. i9, which is controlled by a counting device |10, to be described later. When a predetermined number of carton-blanks B have 'been stacked in the compartment C the switch 2|3 Yis closed to energize the electromagnet |42 and through the instrumentalities described' above the stack S is released by the fingers 80 and permitted to travel with the conveyor-belts51 after it has been lowered onto the latter.

Stack-supporting means rlhe blank-supporting lingers or rests |50', previously mentioned, are shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10. The rests |50 are formed with hubs |5| pivotally mounted on the hollow shaft y|02 and extend forwardly therefrom in curved portions terminating in tapering fingers |50 for supporting the carton-blanks B as they build up in a stack S. Projecting downwardly from the rests |50 adjacent their curved portions are V-shaped cam-lobes |53. The lobes 253 are adapted to be engaged by rollers |54 mounted between the sides of the upper forked ends of arms |55 secured to the rock-shaft 82. When the arms |55 are in the position shown in Fig. 9 their rollers |54 will be located directly beneath the lobes |53 to maintain the rests |50 elevated; b-ut when the shaft 82 is rocked to tilt the stop-fingers 80 the rollers |54 will ride out from under the lobes to permit the rests to rock downwardly and the stack Sy of carton-blanks to descend upon the moving conveyor-belts 31 to be transported thereby.

After the stack S has been conveyed a suitable distance by the belts 31 the shaft 82 is rocked back to initial relationship to return the stopngers 80 to vertical position and the rollers |54 will act against the cam-lobes |53 to rock the rests |50 upwardly in readiness to support the first carton-blank B of the next group or series projected into the compartment C. It is to be particularly noted that while the carton-blanks B might rest directly upon the conveyor-belts during their confinement in the compartment Cy it has been found that by elevating them slightly thereabove there is less tendency for'the belts to scui or mar the surface of the lowermost carton-blank in the stack.

It has been determined in practice that when the stack S is released and commences its movement vwith the conveyor-belts 31, due to inertia, the lower cartons B in the stack are liable to start their travel prior to that of the upper blanks. n such case the stack may slant rearwardly lto eventually result in an irregular relationship of the blanks. To avoid such a condition the 'present invention provides means .in the form .of a pusher-plate. |f0',V see Figs. 2, 3y and 4, for engaging the uppermost .carton-blanks in theV stack to maintain them in substantial alinement with the remainder of the Stack as the latter is carried forward by the conveyor-belts 31. The pusherplate |00 is vcarried by a rod I 5| supported at the vupper end of a lever |02. The lever |62 is pivoted'on a pin |503 mounted in a bracket 164 fastened to the framel with its lower end connected .to the lever ilbymeans-of a connecting rod When the rod H3 is slid to unlatch 10 the vstop-fingers 00 and lower the supporting ngers or rests |50, the pusher-,plate 00 is simultaneously Vmoved from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that illustrated in Fig. 4.

Blank-counting Vdevice The counting device |10 for controlling the action of the ngers 80, |50 and pusher-plate |60 is constructed and arranged as next described. The counting device |10 may be vplaced in any desired location on the apparatus and, as shown in Figs. 3, 15 to 18, it is mounted on an angular bracket ill attached to the cross-strut 22. Fastened to the lower horizontal shelf portion of the bracket |1| is an angular member or bracket |12 which extends laterally then upwardly to form a bearing |13 for a shaft |14. The shaft |14 projects forwardly from the bearing |13 to mount a bell-crank lever |15 and this end of the shaft is reduced in diameter to receive a ratchet-wheel or disk |80. The ratchet-disk |80 is held against the shoulder thusI formed .on the shaft |14 by means of a hand-nut |8| screwed onto the threaded extremity of the shaft and set up against the disk. The inner end of the shaft |14 is provided with a threaded axial bore for receiving a screw |16 with a washer |11 interposed between the end of the shaft and the head of the' screw to hold the shaft in place in its bearing.

The ratchet-wheel or disk is formed with teeth v|82 which may vary in number, the present drawings illustrating the ydisk as provided with sixty teeth. The disk |80 is further provided with a series of holes |83 equidistantly spaced therearound adjacent its periphery, there being twelve such holes in the vpresent showing; that is, one hole for each ve ratchet-teeth. T he holes "|83 are adapted to receive pins |85 inserted therein from the rear of the disk with their larger portions abutting the rearward face thereof as shown in Fig. 16. Nuts |86 screwed onto the forward threaded extremities of the pins |85 and set up against the front face of the disk serve to hold the pins in place. Pivotally mounted on a stud |88 at the outer end of the substantially vertical arm of the bell-crank lever |15 is a pawl |90 having a pointed end engageable `with the teeth |02 of the ratchet-disk |30. The pawl |90 is held in engagement with the ratchet-teeth |82 by means of a spring |89 connected between thepawl andthe Vbell-crank lever |15. A checkpawl |9I, in the form of a leaf-spring, is attached to a bracket |92 mounted on the bracket |12 `with its end adapted to engage successively with the teeth |02 of the ratchet-disk |80 to prevent retrogressive movement thereof. A helical spring |94 connected between an arm |195'attached to the bracket |12 and 'the horizontal arm of the bell-crank lever |15 tends to rock the latter in clockwise direction, as yviewed in Fig. 15, to move the pawl |90 through an idle stroke to engage it successively with the teeth |82 of the ratchet-disk |30. YSuch clockwise movement of the bell-crank lever |15 is limited by the engagement of the horizontal arm of the lever with a set-screw |01 mounted on the member |12.

The bell-crank lever |15 is adapted to be rocked in count'erclockwise direction, vas viewed in Figs. 15 and l1'1, by means vof a link 20| connected between its horizontal arm and the armaturer of an electromagnet '205. As'show-n in Fig. 15, the electromagnet 200 is mounted on an ang-ularlyshaped bracket 202 depending from the member |72. Energization of the electromagnet 23|] will cause it to rock the bell-crank lever |15 in counterclockwise direction to oscillate the pawl |93 and advance the ratchet-disk |80 the distance of one tooth; while upon deenergization of the electromagnet the spring |34 will return the bellcrank and pawl to initial position.

Pivoted on a pin 233 held in a bracket 234 attached to the horizontal portion of the bracket is a switch-actuating element 235 provided with an upstanding ringer 233 which is formed with a beveled edge or cam 231. The element 235 normally is maintained in raised position by a spring 233 with its cam 231 in the path of movement of the pins on the ratchet-disk |83. The spring 233 has one end connected to the element 235 and its opposite end anchored to a flange on the bracket 234. Upward movement of the element 255 is limited by the engagement of its rectangular pivoted end with a set-screw 209 which is adjustable in the ange on the bracket 234. At its outer end the switch-actuator 205 carries an adjustable abutment in the form of a set-screw 2MB, the lower end of which is adapted to engage the plunger 2i2 of an electrical switch 2I3 mounted on the bracket 232 when the element is rocked downwardly. The switch 2|31normally is open so that when the actuator 265 is rocked downwardly through the engagement of its cam-nger 233 by a pin |35 on the ratchet-disk |83 the plunger 2|2 will be depressed to close the switch 2|3. Referring t-o the writing diagram of Figs. i9 and 20, it will be observed that the switch 2|3 is connected in circuit with the electromagnet |32 so that when the switch is closed the electromagnet will be energized to initiate the rotation of the cam |33 and set in motion the instrumentalities described above.

Control unit The electromagnet 20|! for the counting device ITD is energized through a control-unit indicated generally by the reference character 223. The control-unit 223, shown in detail in Figs. l1, 12 and 13, is mounted on an angular supporting member 22| having a horizontal leg 222 and a vertical arm 223. The leg 222 is provided with an elongated slot 224, see Fig. 13, for receiving screws 225 screwed into threaded holes in the horizontal arm 227 of an angular bracket 223 to mount the member 22| for longitudinal adjustment thereon. As shown in Fig, 3, the lower end of the bracket 228 is fastened by bolts 23E! to a plate 229 extending between the struts 22 of the frame I8, and preferably the bolts pass through a vertical slot in the bracket to permit the latter to be adjusted vertically. A post 232, see'Figs. 11, 12 and 13, rising from the leg 222 of the member 22| has its upper end slotted to receive a lever 234 pivoted on a pin 233 extending between the sides of the slot. Attached to one end of the lever 234 is a feeler 235 in the form of a curved leaf-spring. The feeler 235 extends rearwardly and upwardly in position to adapt it to be engaged by a carton-blank during the transfer of the latter from the processing machine M to the apparatus 2. The feeler 235 is adapted to be rocked in clockwise direction by a coil-spring 237 connected between the lever 234 and the member 22|, rocking movement of the feeler-lever in this direction being limited `by its engagement with a set-screw 233. The set-screw 238 is adjustable in an inverted y U-shaped bracket 233 fastened to the sides of ist 12 the post 232. Counterclockwise movement of the lever 234 is limited through its engagement with a set-screw 2li! von a post 242 rising from the member 22 I.

Counterclockwise movement of the lever 234 will cause it to engage anddepress the plunger 244 of an electrical switch 245 mounted on the member 22|. The switch 245, shown in Figs. 19 and 20 as connected in circuit with the electromagnet 253, is normally closed so that when the lever 234 is rocked downwardly during the passage of a carton-blank B across the feeler 235 the plunger 244 will act to open the circuit to thereby deenergize the electromagnet.

After the carton-blank B has passed beyond the feeler 235 the latter is rocked upwardly by the spring 231. Due to its resilience the feeler 235 has a tendency to vibrate which might cause rapid oscillatory movement of the lever 234 and repeated opening and closing of the switch 245 and to prevent such acti-on the lever is adapted to be restrained by a latch 253 pivoted on a pin 25| at the upper end of the arm 223 of the member 22|. The lower end of the latch 253 is notched to provide a shoulder A233 which is normally held in engagement with the end of the lever 234 by means of a spring 254 connected between the latch and the post 232. The upper forward edge of the latch 253 is rounded so that a carton-blank ejected from the machine M may slide across its end and cause it to rock from the position shown in Fig. 11 to that illustrated in Fig. 12 whereby to unlatch the feelerlever 234. As the blank continues its movement toward the conveyor-apparatus it Iwill depress the ieeler 235 in the manner explained above. After the blank passes beyond the ieeler 235 the lever 234 will be returned to rst position and the shoulder 253 on the latch 250 Ywill reengage its end to prevent it from bouncing or vibrating.

Table for receiving blanks The stacks S of carton-blanks B may be delivered by the conveyor-belts 3l to any desired location, and preferably they are deposited upon a table such as that indicated at 3 in Fig. 1. The table 3 may take the form of an open rectangular frame constructed from angle-irons with longitudinal and transverse struts 26| and 262 supported by legs 253. The legs 260 may further be braced or reinforced by diagonal stays 263 and provided with swiveled casters 264 to adapt the table 3 to be moved from place to place. Equally spaced along the table 3 between the longitudinal struts 26| are rollers 256 having their trunnions 261 journaled in the struts. Thus, it will be observed that as the stacks S of carton-blanks are delivered from the apparatus 2 they will be deposited on the table 3 and permitted to slide along the `rolls 236 which form, in eiect, a stationary conveyor. An operator standing alongside the table 3 may remove each stack S as it is delivered thereto andtie the blanks together to form a bundle suitable for shipping. The complete apparatus having been described in detail, its meth- Vod of operation is as next explained. Y

Method of operation Assuming that the apparatus 2 is to be applied to use with a sheet-processing unit such as the carton-stitching machine M shown in Fig. 1, it is moved into v position adjacentI the rearward side thereof and the table 3 placed against its end. The wire-stitching machine M is prepared for operation by placing a pile or stack of cartonfarmacos i3 blanks upon'the platform I4 of the elevator I5 andxmaking the necessary adjustments in the carton-feeding and stitching mechanism. The sides and ends of the compartment C next may be adjusted to adapt it to receive the folded and stitched carton-blanks B as they are delivered thereto from the carton-stitcher. To adjust the 'dimensions of the compartment in accordance with the size of the particular carton-blanks being processed the side-plates 'I0 first may be moved toward or away from each other to regulatethe width of the compartment. The inclined ngers |54 next may be adjusted both laterally and longitudinally and the feeler `235 thereafter adjusted with respect to the fingers to provide for the proper cooperation therebetween. The stop-fingers 80 then may be inserted in the appropriate holes -83 in the rock-shaft 82 and the latter thereafter adjusted longitudinally of the frame I8. 'To effect this latter adjustment the handwheel |04, see Fig. 5, is rst turned to unclamp the bearing plates 85 from the guide-plates 86, `after which the bearing plates, together with the shafts 82 and |52 carried thereby, may be shifted longitudinally of the frame I8 to vary the distance between the upstanding stop-lingers 8|) and the vertical portions of the fingers 64 in accordance with the length of the particular cartonblanks ming processed. After the stop-lingers 8B have been adjusted longitudinally of the *apparatus to obtain a compartment of the required length the handwheel |94 is turned to clamp rthe bearing plates'85 against the guide-plates -855 to 'maintain the parts in position.

During the longitudinal adjustment of the stopngers `180 the latch-operating bar |20 is unclamped from the rod I I3 and shifted therealong in `position to properly engage with the latching element I 00, after which the bar is'again clamped tothe rod. It will be noted that because the stack-supporting lingers or rests v|51] aremounted 4on the hollow shaft |22 they will always4 be positioned within the confines of the compartmentC to support the carton-blanks above the belts `3'|.

As previously explained, it is the usual practice totie a number of the carton-blanks together to form a bundle suitable for shipping or other purposes. The number of blanks `contained in a 'bundle will Vvary in accordance with the size of the blanks and the purpose for .which they are to be used. For example, relatively large, heavy carton-blanks may be arranged in groups of ive, ten or fifteen while smaller blanksmay be bundled in groups of twenty to thirty. The carton-blanks B `herein shown may be considered as of the larger type and for the purpose of illustration let it be assumed that it is desirable to arrange the blanks in groups or stacks of fifteen units. To adapt the apparatus to stack and deliver the blanks in groups of fifteen a series of four pins I 85 are inserted in certain of the holes I 83 of the ratchetdisk 48B, see Fig. l5. Since the ratchet-disk |85 is provided with sixty teeth |32 and twelve holes |33, one for every five teeth, the pins |85 are inserted in every third hole or, in other words, fifteen teeth apart. After the pins |85 are adjusted in this manner the ratchet-disk |80 is rotated manually in counterclockwise direction until one of the pins |85 is brought into position in advance of the upstanding finger 206 on the switch-actuating element 255 as shown in Fig, 18 .and the countingdevice I'IlJ is then ready for operation. A switch v215 in the main electrical line, see Fig. 19, then vmay be closed to supply current to the two Aelectrical circuits. As shown in Figs, 19 and 20, one of the' circuits'includes the switch 245 and electromagnet 200 while the other circuit includes the switch2| 3 and electromagnet |42. The switch 245 of the controlling unit 225 is of the no-rmally-closed type so that the electromagnet `2li() of the counting .device I'IIl normally will be energized. The switch 2I3 of the counting device |10, however, is .of the normally-open type to provide that theclutch-operating electromagnet |42 will be deenergize'd. Closing the main switch 215 may also energize the electric motor 55 to continuously drive the 'conveyor-belts 3l.

To stitch the flaps of a carton-blank the operator slides the topniost blank B oi from the pile held on the elevator I5, folds its panels and inserts it into the stitching machine. As the leading edge of the carton-blank B is entered between the feed-rolls 5 and S the latter will feed it across the table 'i of the machine. The leadingedge 'of the blank B will engage a gage, indicated at l i in Fig. l, to initiate the operation of the stitching mechanism to fasten the flaps 'together while intermittently advancing the blank between stitches. After the last stitch of the series 'has been applied to the blank B the rolls 5 and 6 are rotated vat high speed to eject the stitched carton-blank from the machine. lAs the blank B is discharged from the tab-le 'I across the roller It its leading edge will engage the upper end-of the latch 255 and rock the latter from the position shown in Fig. l1 to that illustrated 'in Fig. l2 whereby to unlock the lever 1234 and release the feeler 235 carried thereby. As the cartonblank B continues its advance towardy the compartment C of the conveyor-apparatus 2 in the manner indicated by the dash-lines in Fig. l2, it will engage with and depress the feeler v235 and lever 235| to the position shown in this view against the actio-n of the spring 237. As the lever 23d is rocked downwardly it will engage with and force the plunger'll into the housing oi the switch :2.@5 to open the circuit to the electromagnet as `indicated in Fig. 20. With the elecrtroinagnet 2li@ thus deenergized the spring ii will rock the bell-crank lever |`l5 in clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. `i7 lto that illustrated in Fig. l5 to retract the pawl It@ through an idle stroke intoengagement with the next succeeding tooth |82 on the ratchet-disk |135. During the movement of the pawl I the check-pawl |9| will prevent retrogressive movement ofthe ratchet-disk |35.

As the carton-blank B continues its movement toward the compartment C of the apparatus 2, its rearward or trailing edge will eventually passbeyond the end of the feeler 235 and the feelerlever '234| thus will be returned to the position shown in Fig. ll under the action of the spring 23? to release the plungerli and close the switch Efii whereby to energizethe electromagnet as indicated in Fig. 19. Reenergization 'of the electromagnet 230 causes its plunger to be drawn downwardly and consequently the bell-crank leverv |25 will be rocked in counterclockwise direction and the pawl il caused to advance the ratchet-disk |81? a distance equal to thelspace of one tooth.

AAs the carton-clank B is thrown through space it will travel in an arcuate vpath due to the "lect of ,gravity and eventually its forward or .ng edge willstrike the upstandingstop-fingersel to cause the blank to drop into the compartment C in the position shownb-ylthe full lineslin Figg. yShould rthe carton-blank irebound .after striking the lingers 8l) the sloping portions of the guides Bil will cause it to slide back into the compartment C under the force of gravity. Upon entering the compartment C the forward end of the carton-blank B will be supported upon and held elevated above the conveyor-belts 3l' by the sup porting fingers or rests E5@ while its rearward end will also be held in raised position by the ledge see Fig. 3. Thus, the blank B will be retained in the compartment C and held from movement with the continuously-moving conveyor-belts 3l which are traveled continuously therebeneath.

As the operation of the carton-stitching machine M continues another carton-blank B is removed manually from the stack on the elevator i5, folded and fed into the machine. The time interval required to stitch'the flaps of a cartonn blank depends upon the size of the blank and the number of stitches applied thereto. The operator is usually able to feed the blanks intothe L machine in closely adjacent 'relationship so that they will be discharged therefrom at a substantially uniform and relatively rapid rate. As each successive carton-blank E is discharged from the machine M and projected across the control-unit 229 it will depress the feeler 235 and open the switch 245, thereby deenergizing the electromagnet Zilli to permit the pawl H53 to engage the next successive ratchet-tooth |82 on the disk it. As the rearward or trailing edge of the blank passes beyond the feeler 235 the switch again will be closed to energize the electrcmagnet to actuate the pawl i3@ and rotate the ratchetdisk |39 to an extent equal to the space or" one tooth. The operator may continue to fold and insert the blanks B into the machine M and after each blank has been stitched it will be discharged therefrom in the manner explained above to drop into place atop the preceding blanks in the compartment C, eventually building a pile or S v of blanks as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 14.

As Vpreviously stated, the number of blanks B constituting the pile or stack S depends upon any particular requirement and for the purpose of the present explanation this number is assumed to be iiiteen. As the fteenth cartonblank B is discharged from the machine M it will depress the feeler in the usual manner to cause the pawl It to engage the last or fifteenth tooth of the series extending between successive pins |35 on the disk i3d. Immediately the trailing end of the iifteenthl carton-blank B passes beyond and disengages the end of the feeler 235 the latter will be rocked upwardly to close the switch 2|i5 and energize the electrodownwardly about its pivot against the action of the spring 23S to displace it from the position shown in Fig. to that illustrated in Fig. 17. Thus, the abutment or screw 25|) on the element 205 will be caused to engage with and depress the plunger 2|2 of the switch 2|3 to close its contacts as indicated in Fig. 2G and therebyV energize the clutch-operating electromagnet |112. The time interval for closing the circuit to the electromagnet M2 is of relatively short duration since the pin |85 will be carried past the nger 206. almost instantaneously to finally come to rest vin the position shown in Fig. 18. As the pin moves beyond the nger 238 of the switch-actuating element ZES the latter will be rocked upwardly by the spring 268 to open the switch 2 i3 and deenergize the electromagnet M2. The counting device |10 thus will be reset for the next operation of registering the number of individual carton-blanks B in the succeeding stack S to be formed.

During the momentary energization of the electromagnet |42 as explained above, its armatureplunger, see Fig. 6, acting through the link |43 and bell-crank lever Mii, will withdraw the pin |40 from the clutch |35 to permit the cam-.shaft |3| and cam |30 to be rotated Vfrom the shaft 33, shown in Fig. 3, through one complete revolution. During the first half revolution of the cam |30 as it turns from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that indicated in Fig. 4 it will act on the follower-roller |46, plate |45 and lever |43 to rock the shaft |21 in clockwise direction. Rocking movement of the shaft |21 in this direction will cause the lever |26, rod ||8 and bar |2l3 to be moved toward the right, or from the position shown in Figs. 3 and '7 to that illustrated in Figs. 4 and 8. Movement of the bar |29 in this direction will cause its shouldered end to rst engage the depending portion |24 of the latching element |60 to rock the latter to the position shown in Fig. 8 whereby to release the detent nger 36 on the arm carried by the rock-shaft 82. Continued movement of the bar |23 will cause its end to engage the arm 95 and rock the latter and shaft 62 in counterclockwise direction. As the shaft 82 is thus rocked the stop-fingers 8! will be swung from the position shown in Figs. 3 and '7 to that illustrated'in Figs. 4 and 8 to open the end of the compartment C. Simultaneously with the opening of the compartment C the rollers |54 on the arms |55 will be moved out from under the cam-lobes |53 Yon the supporting lingers or rests |50, see Fig. l0, to permit the latter to rock downwardly under the weight of the stack S of carton-blanks B supported thereon. It will be observed that the operations of the various parts of the conveyor-apparatus as last explained are initiated by the movement of the feeler 235 as the'latter is released by the trailing edge of the last carton-blank of the series and Vconsequently this rapidly-moving blank will be positively and accurately deposited in the compartment C before the compartment is opened to discharge the completed stack,

With the stack S of blanks B lowered onto the moving conveyorbelts 3l it will start to travel therewith with its rearward portion riding olf from the ledge 6i?. Asthe stack S commences its travel with the belts 3l the rod |65 will have been moved by the lever |26 from the position shown in Fig. 3 tothat indicated in Fig. 4 whereby to cause the pusher-plate |653 to engage the upper blanks B of the stack and force them forwardly to maintain them in substantial alinement with those in the lower portion of the stack. The belts 31 travel at a relatively fast rate so that the stack S will be transported rapidly thereby and delivered onto the rollers 265 of the table 3, at a point where the operatorV may tie the stacks to form bundlesrcontaining the required number of blanks B. y

During the second halfrrevolution of the cam |35 the rods |65 andll will move toward the left, as viewed in Fig. V3, whereby to return the pusher-plate |60, Vsupporting rests |53 vand stopl:[lngersi to initial position.r It will be underf stood that after the rearward'or'trailing end' of the stack S has been carried beyond theffree ends of the stop-lingers 88 the spring 89, acting on'the shaft 82, will act automatically'to rock the latter in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, to return' the ngers to operative position. VItis to'be noted yparticularly that 'the rapid action of Athe cam |38 provides that the stack S will be released andthe operating'parts of the mechanism thereafter promptly returned to "initial yposition in readiness to act Yon the first carton-blank of the next series ejected from the machinev M. Through this provision the operator of th'e'wirestitching or other sheet-processing machine may continue to feed blanks'into the machine without interruption whereby'to maintain'ma'xim'um efficiency of thecompleteapparatus and' ahigh rate of production.

It .has been explained 'thatthe sheet-stacking and delivering apparatus 2 'may 'be 'so adjusted that any desired number of blanks vwill be lc'ontained "in each delivered stack. By inserting the requirednumber of pins |85 vin the holes |83 of the sixty-tooth ratchetedisk |88 stacks leach containing 5, 10,-15, 20, 30 or 60 blanks maybe produced. By yproviding additional holes |83 in the disk |88pins |85 could be'located'between adjacent series -of twelve teeth on the disk to effect the 4production'and delivery of groups or stacks each containinga dozen blanks. To' obtain'stacks vcontaining other quantities of blanks, ratchet-disks having` different numbers :of .teeth and -holes fmay vbe `substituted `for the disk V|88 shown-herein.

vModified form of control-unit rFig. 21 illustrates a mofdifledform ofdevice for controlling-the action'of the counting means V|18 'insubstitution for the'controlling unit' 228 previously described. 'The "alternative form Yof controlling device consists vin a :photo-'electric unit mounted on the conveyor-apparatus iv2 in close proximity to thetable '11'of the 'wire-'stitching orother 'sheet-processing machine. 'As here'- in sh'own,the control-unit may comprise 'a box or housing 28'8mounted upona plate 28| *extending between vertical posts 282rising from Vthe main frame |8 of the 'apparatus 2 andcontainin'g van ele'ctric'lamp283 or other 'source 'of light. 'The lbeam of light,'indicated by thedot-'andrdash'line L, is projectedjdownwardly Yfrom'the lamp -283 to a photo-electric cell or light-"sensitive tube 285 contained within a bok 286 carried by 'a 'plate r281 attached to the frame I8. The'cell`285 lsconnected in circuit with the windings of "'a`relayergi'zed'the p-awl |98 will be moved throughan idle st'roke'totheposition indicated in Fig. 15. After the trailingendof the carton-blank B passes beyondthe beam of light L and the latter is again proj'ectedto the light-sensitive cell 285 the coil 288 will'be'reenergized and the switch-arm 289 thus drawn against the contact 298 to close the circuit' to the electromagnet 288. Energization of the electromagnet 288, as previously explained, will actuatefthe bell-crank lever |15 to cause the pawl |98 to advance the ratchet-disk |88 a distance equal tothe space of one tooth for the purpose; previously set forth.

, In Fig. V2 2'the control-unit is shown as longitudinally adjustable `for setting it in position to accurately controlV the actuation of the stackreleasing means. It will be understood from the foregoing explanation that the operation of the stack-releasing means is controlled by the passage of the trailing edge ofthe last blank yof a series projected across the control unit. It is A evident, therefore, that the .distance between the upright portion, of the fingers 64, forming the forward wall .of the `compartment C, and the beam of light iL must be such that the lastcarton-'blank will vhave been deposited in the compartment before the complete Vstack is released to be `transported by the conveyor-belts 31. When'certain "types of carton-blanks are to -be collected inthe compartment C it is sometimes desirable to adjus'tthe stop-lingers 88 longitudinally of vtheapparatus 2 -toproperly receive the blanks as'they lare discharged from the processingmachine. After the stop-fingers '88 have been adjusted tothe proper position the fingers 64, defining the forward wall of the compartment C, also`are adjusted longitudinallyof the apparatus'2 to obtaina, compartment of required length. With these two adjustments itis necessary that'the photo-electric unit also be `shifted 'longitudinally of the apparatus to maintain the correct relationship between these lingers and the Abeam of light L. That is to say,Y itis essentialfthat the stop-fingers 88 will swing downwardly 'to release the completed stack `of carton-blanks B immediately the last. blank has beendeposited in the compartment .C.. Should the 'stack S be released from the compartment C beforethe last blank lof the series is deposited therein this particular blank 'might be positioned rearwardly ofthe Vstack and as aresult tend ,to slide koff'tlrierefrom iduring the transfer ofthe stack by the conveyor-'belts 31. On the Vother hand, should the 'last blank 13 of the serie'sbe deposited in the compartment Cand a relatively long interval 'elapse before the transfer of the stack therefrom,.the timev interval between the reception of the blank and the transfer `of the stack lfrom the compartment would be Vof such duration that it would be impossible to lreturn the fingers 88 to initial position before the first carton-blank of the next seriesY was delivered lfrom the processing machine. It is therefore essential that the Vcontrol-uint be adaptedfor accurate adjustment relative to the forward end vof, vthe 'compartment .to control the swinging Vmovement'of the 'stop-fingers 88.

As shown in Fig. 22 the boxesfor housings vist and 286 of the .photo-electric control-unit, loreviously described, may bemounted on separate brackets 21| and 212 may be provided with elongated slots 213 through which bolts 214 extending therethrough are screwed into threaded holes in the posts 282. With this form of mounting for the parts of the photo-electric control-unit the latter may be adjusted longitudinally in accordance with requirements. The distance through which different types of carton-blanks travel after being discharged from the processing machine varies with their size and weight and it has been found that in some cases the blanks are apt to be thrown beyond the stop-fingers 89. In such event, the entire apparatus 2 may be moved further away from-the processing machine M and the fingers 94 and control unitthereafter adjusted longitudinally thereof to obtain the proper cooperation between the several mechanisms.

It has been determined in practice that when the carton-blanks are discharged from the processing machine M and deposited in the compartment C of the apparatus 2 their forward edges will sometimes strike the upstanding stop-fingers 80 with such force that the blankswill rebound rearwardly. Under ordinary conditions any blanks which rebound rearwardly will be guided into the compartment C by the inclined ramp portions Vof the nngers 94. However, when relatively large, heavyl blanks are being deposited in the compartment C and tend to rebound so that their rearward ends rest upon the inclined ramps of the fingers 94 they may be prevented from sliding off therefrom to enter the compartment due to inertia and frictional resistance. To prevent such a condition the present invention provides means ior positively guiding the blanks into the compartment. Referring to Fig. 22, the present guiding means may consist in a nger 293 constructed from sheet-metal and pivoted on a rod 294 extending transversely across the apparatus 2 with th'e ends of the rod held in brackets 295. The brackets 295 may be attached to the plate l269, previously described, and one bracket may be provided with a lug 29E. A helical spring 291 having'one end anchored to the lug 296 and its opposite end hooked through one of a series of holes 298 in the finger 293 tends to rock the latter downwardly.. The nger 293 slopes rearwardly from the hinge-rod 294 and its terminal portion is bent downwardly at a greater angle with' its end engaging against one of the ngers 64 at the joinder between its vertical and inclined portions as shown by full lines in Fig. 22.

In operation, as a carton-blank B is discharged by thef processing machine and projected toward the 'compartment C of .the apparatus 2, in the manner indicated by the dash-lines in Fig. 22, it will ride under the inclined finger .293 and tilt it upwardly to the position indicated by dash-lines. As the blank B passes beyond the nger 29S it releases the latter to permit it to swing downwardly in the manner of a shutter. to the position shown by full lines. When the forward end of the blank B strikes the stop-fingers 89 it may rebound b-ut because of the fact that the finger 293 is in lowermost position the rearward edge of the blank will engage the latter. as indicated bythe dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 22 and be guided back into the compartment C. The tension of the spring 291 may be adjusted by hooking its end into any one of the holes 293 so that the resistance oiered by the nger 293 to the passage of a blank from the processing machine to the compartment C may be reduced .to a minimum. Mounting of the finger 293 on the 20 rodY 294 supportedfrom the plate 259 provides that when the photo-electric control-unit is acijusted longitudinally the Aiinger likewise will be properly positioned to cooperate with the iinger E4 in the manner explained above.

vIt `will be. observed from the foregoing specification that the present invention provides an apparatus for counting and stacking sheet-like articles as .they are discharged from various types of processing machines and for transporting the stacks of sheets to a desired location. rThe sheetcounting mechanism of the apparatus is of .simple construction and positive in its operation of counting the sheets or ,blanks as they are discharged from the processing ymachine and delivered to the apparatus. The mechanism is operated electrically and its actuation controlled by a feeler device or light-sensitive unit actuated by the passage of each blank into the apparatus so that it will positively and accurately count the articles regardless of the speed at which they are discharged from the processing machine.

It also'wil1 be observed that the compartment for receiving the sheets or blanks as they are discharged from the processing machine may be adjusted to different dimensions to accommodate sheets of a large variety of sizes. It further will be observed that the device for controlling the actuation of the counting mechanism is operated by the rearwardor trailing edge of each blank to insure that the last blank in each series or group will be positively located in the stack before the latter is released to be transported by the conveyor-belts. The stack-releasing and clischarging mechanism and parts associated therewith are quickly returned to operative position in readiness to retain the first blankV of the next group or stack in the compartment whereby the processing machine may be operated at a comparatively high rate of speed without interruption and its productive capacity maintained at maximum.

While I have herein shown and described the apparatus as embodied in a preferred form of construction with one modiiied form of controlling unit for use therewith, it is to be understood thatk other modications may be made in the structure and arrangement of its parts and in its application to use without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l1 An apparatus of the type indicated comprising a continuously moving conveyor, a compartment for containing sheet-like objects in stacked relationship above the conveyor and provided with a movable side, means for supporting the objects in the compartment, means for normally maintaining the movable side of the compartment in closed relationship, means for automatically counting the objects as they are stacked individually in the compartment, and means actuated by the last object of a series as it is stacked in the compartment to open the movable side thereof and lower the supporting means to permit the completed stack of objects to be delivered onto the conveyor.

2. An apparatus of theI type indicated comprislng a continuously moving conveyor, a, compartment for containing sheet-like objects in stacked relationship, a gate at one end of the compartment for retaining the objects therein, releasable means for supporting the objects in the compartment, means engageable by the objects for counting them as they are placed in the compartment. andmeans operable after a predetermined'num- 

